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Monday, June 1, 2015

Join Odyssey Adventure Club for a Summer Challenge and Movie Ticket Giveaway

Summer . . . a time that kids pine for during the school year and parents may anticipate with something akin to dread. Fearing refrains of “I’m bored” or hours spent on the couch playing video games can make moms and dads nervous about the long, hot months stretching before their family. Focus on the Family’s Odyssey Adventure Club offers an answer, encouraging parents and kids to embrace faith and fun with the Take the Plunge Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse magazine’s Summer Challenge.

Take the Plunge

The Take the Plunge challenge features:

Master Mind Monday — commit God’s Word to memory

Ways to Play Wednesday — spend active time with your family

Faith Sharing Friday — share God’s love with others

The Take the Plunge challenge helps families memorize at least five verses, engage in five activities together and share their faith with five people before the school doors swing open again. Those who sign up will receive an 11-week plan with suggested verses to memorize, activity ideas (such as visiting a war memorial) and ways to witness (such as passing out popsicles at the park with an invitation to your church), making this challenge the perfect tool for parents who want summer to be a time of spiritual and social stimulation for their kids.

"Research tells us that the more senses we involve when teaching children a principle, the more likely it is to stick,” Plugged In editor and Adventures in Odyssey podcast host Bob Smithouser says. “Bible memorization by itself is great, but it becomes even more powerful when put into action. Know it. Share it. Live it.”

Families who sign up to take part in the challenge at www.whitsend.org/summer will have access to weekly verses to memorize, ideas for family fun and suggestions for service projects that allow a family to share their faith. Additionally, anyone who signs up to participate in the Take the Plunge challenge will receive a free scene from the latest Adventures in Odysseyalbum, as well as a free story from the book Strange Journey Back.

A Bonus Contest

From June 1–5, tell us in 30 words or less how you are going to take the plunge to deepen your faith this summer for a chance to win a family four-pack of tickets to the theatrical release of Beyond The Mask June 5th weekend and free access to the Odyssey Adventure Club all summer long (June, July, August—total $85 prize value)!

Missions

Adventist Frontier Missions

Psalm 131

1Lord, my heart is not proud; I don't look down on others. I don't do great things, and I can't do miracles.2But I am calm and quiet, like a baby with its mother. I am at peace, like a baby with its mother.

3People of Israel, put your HOPE in the Lord now and forever.~New Century Version

I Blog for Free Books

I enjoy Kara's conversational style of writing. In some ways, this book is hard to read...because it talks intimately of life's hard. But it is also so full of encouragement and inspiration. It is a quick read, and I recommend it for anyone journeying through life, whether you're facing hard or not.

A friend asked her a question once: What does your heart hunger for? Her one-word response was: Time.

Time for the simple things:Time to hold hands.Time to hear a heart.Time to share faith.Time to listen.Time to talk.Time to giggle.Time to see the children's weddings.Time to have grey hair and wrinkles.Time...

We need to remember that none of us is assured tomorrow. We only have today. Live life intentionally, and full of grace, love, forgiveness. Some day, soon, each one of us will meet Jesus face to face. Now is the time to prepare.